EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The French President, Francois Hollande, has expressed his deep disapproval over claims America's national security agency tapped phone calls in France. Mr Hollande has called Barack Obama to demand an explanation saying that the reported practices infringe on the privacy of French citizens. The 'Le Monde' newspaper says the NSA spied on 70 million phone calls in France over December last year and January this year.

REMY OURDAN, DEPUTY IN CHEIF, LE MONDE: It shows that this spying is absolutely massive over the months and there's some French companies have been under surveillance by the NSA.

EMMA ALBERICI: The US Secretary of State John Kerry has been in France and discussed the matter with the French Foreign Minister.

JOHN KERRY, US SECRETARY OF STATE: France is one of our oldest allies in the world and I have a very close working relationship with the Minister since the day I started this job. We in the US are currently reviewing the way that we gather intelligence. And I think that's appropriate and our goal is always to try to find the right balance between protecting the security and the privacy of our citizens.

EMMA ALBERICI: Mr Kerry says the US will continue to hold talks with France and other allies over concerns about its intelligence program.